Neurosurgeon
Los Angeles, CA
Male - 29 Years Experience

DescriptionA neurosurgeon focuses primarily on treating disorders of the brain, spinal cord and central and peripheral nervous systems. This highly specialized form of surgery is on the cutting edge of medicine and, therefore, continually benefits from new techniques and research. Neurosurgeons increasingly use computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams and other imaging procedures to help them perform complicated surgeries, such as those that treat aneurysms and tumors or repair nerve damage. Operations may heal patients who have been in accidents, suffering from injuries such as spinal-cord or head trauma, or may address congenital abnormalities, such as spina bifida. Some surgeries are performed to correct an illness, such as brain or spine tumors. Neurosurgeons may spend more than a dozen years in training, and some go on to further specialize in one part of the body, such as the spine. Neurosurgeons use many newly developed techniques, such as laser or robotic surgery, in their procedures.

Dr. gruen was educated at the following institutions:

Medical School Attended:texas a&m health science center college of medicine

Year of Graduation:
1986

Dr. gruen received medical licensing as follows:

Medical License:
Recieved in 1988

State Medical License:
Issued in the state of California

Dr. gruen accepts insurance from these companies:

aetna

blue cross blue shield

wellpoint

healthnet

Acceptance of particular Insurance Plans may vary, based on different office locations. As a result, we've listed Plans accepted at different locations.>

See what state and federal disciplinary actions (if any) have been reported against this doctor in the past five years.>

Disciplinary Actions: Not Available

Disciplinary actions are actions taken to punish or restrict physicians who have demonstrated professional misconduct. They are intended to correct the doctor's misconduct. Physicians with disciplinary actions may continue to practice, depending on the board's decision. Physicians who have had a disciplinary action in one state will often move to another state where he/she may have a clean record in that new state. Lifescript's Doctor Finder compiles disciplinary action information from all 50 states, you'll know if a physician has a disciplinary action in more than one state.

Neurosurgery, also called neurological surgery, is any surgical treatment dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of nervous system disorders.

On which parts of the nervous system do neurosurgeons operate?

Neurosurgeons operate on a wide range of nervous system disorders – typically on any disorder located in (or near) the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, central and peripheral nerves and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system. The field is continually evolving due to a constant development of new technologies that assist these complex, highly-specialized surgeries.

Neurosurgeons utilize computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams and other imaging technology to help perform complex surgeries on nervous system disorders, such as those that treat aneurysms and tumors or repair nerve damage. Neurosurgeons use many newly-developed techniques, such as laser or robotic surgery, in their procedures.

Operations can serve a wide range of purposes, from healing victims of car accidents suffering from spinal cord or head injuries, to addressing congenital abnormalities such as spina bifida. Some operations are performed to correct illnesses, such as brain or spine tumors.

What special training do neurosurgeons have?

Neurosurgeons complete four years of medical school then train for up to nine years in a neurosurgical residency. Some neurosurgeons go on to further specialize in one part of the body, such as the spine.

What is the brain surgery experience typically like?

Neurological surgery experiences are varied, but generally speaking, after you’ve been admitted to the hospital, you will be taken to a pre-operation room to meet with the physicians and nurses who will administer your care. They will discuss your medical history and answer any questions about the surgery and your hospital stay that you may have.

An anesthesiologist will visit you prior to surgery to discuss any medical questions you may have. A nurse will insert an intravenous (IV) fluid drip into your arm to keep you hydrated and full of the nutrients your body will need throughout surgery, as well as provide a means to administer medications.

Once these preparations are finished, you’ll be moved to the operating room and onto the operating table where your anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia. After the anesthesia takes effect, the anesthesiologist will place a breathing tube(intubation) to assist your breathing throughout the surgery. Some brain surgeries require that the patient be kept awake. Since the brain tissue itself does not sense pain this poses no additional discomfort to the patient and greatly assist the surgeon.

For brain surgery, your head will most likely be held steady in a brace known as a “Mayfield.”

If the surgeon is operating in order to diagnose, observe or remove a tumor, its location will be pinpointed using imaging technology. Generally for a tumor diagnosis, a sample will need to be removed and studied by a pathologist for official diagnosis, which takes about five days. If necessary, a follow-up surgery may then be recommended by your neurosurgeon.